Frank Ntilkina doing something he’s never done in the NBA

Frank Ntilikina will have the chance to guard power forwards.

The New York Knicks will be facing off against the Brooklyn Nets on Friday night as they wrap up the preseason.

Knicks’ head coach David Fizdale told reporters on Thursday that second-year guard Frank Ntilikina will play and even guard power forwards during the game.

Starting center Enes Kanter will rest up for the regular season and Tim Hardaway Jr. will get the start along with Kevin Knox, Lance Thomas, Ron Baker and Mitchell Robinson.

Enes Kanter will rest again on Friday but will be ready for the opener. Tim Hardaway Jr., Kevin Knox and Lance Thomas will also start Friday. David Fizdale says Frank Ntilikina will defend power forwards at times on Friday. https://t.co/9fzc7D0rcx

“Guarding anyone on the opposite end is good for me, it’s a challenge. I will do my best to deny them to score, to deny them to get what they want, to deny them to get comfortable. If that’s the plan, let’s do it.”

This goes to show you that Fizdale is completely open to the idea of playing Ntilkina all over the floor and not just at the point guard position. This year should be interesting for him.

I asked the question on Wednesday as to whether or not the Knicks should trade Ntilkina after there were quite a few teams interested in acquiring him last season.

I honestly don’t think the Knicks are looking to deal Ntilikina. It will be interesting to see what Fizdale can get out of him this season. So far during the preseason he hasn’t looked like he’s improved much over the summer.

It’s easy to forget tht Frank is only 20 years-old, he needs to time to adapt to the NBA and even playing in the United States given the fact that he’s from Europe.